U.S. patent application number 15/804528 was filed with the patent office on 2018-03-01 for method and apparatus for combining symbols in gaming devices.
The applicant listed for this patent is KING SHOW GAMES, INC.. Invention is credited to Bradley BERMAN, Jacob LAMB.
Application Number | 20180061186 15/804528 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 61243206 |
Filed Date | 2018-03-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180061186 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
BERMAN; Bradley ; et
al. |
March 1, 2018 |
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR COMBINING SYMBOLS IN GAMING DEVICES
Abstract
Embodiments of the present invention set forth systems,
apparatuses and methods for combining reels in gaming devices.
Accordingly, a gaming device can be configured to display a
plurality of game elements in a grid that display game symbols from
a plurality of reels according to random game outcome in response
to a game initiation signal. When one or more predefined game
conditions are satisfied, one or more rows or columns of game
elements in the grid are moved to share game element locations of
another row or column in the grid. In some instances, one or more
of the symbols that left their respective game elements are
replaced with additional game symbols. The resulting grid may then
be evaluated to determine prizes associated with winning symbol
combinations, including using one or both of the symbols combined
in the single game element in the winning symbol combinations.
Inventors: |
BERMAN; Bradley;
(Minnetonka, MN) ; LAMB; Jacob; (Maple Grove,
MN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
KING SHOW GAMES, INC. |
Minnetonka |
MN |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
61243206 |
Appl. No.: |
15/804528 |
Filed: |
November 6, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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15431742 |
Feb 13, 2017 |
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15804528 |
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14193297 |
Feb 28, 2014 |
9569935 |
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15431742 |
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62419387 |
Nov 8, 2016 |
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61771731 |
Mar 1, 2013 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F 2001/005 20130101;
G07F 17/3211 20130101; G07F 17/3265 20130101; G07F 17/326 20130101;
G07F 17/3293 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G07F 17/32 20060101
G07F017/32 |
Claims
1. A gaming device comprising: a video display device configured to
display a game grid showing portions of a plurality of game reels
in a matrix of symbol positions; a memory device configured to
store a credit amount; a wager input device structured to receive
physical items associated with currency values; and a processor
operable to: receive a signal from the wager input device
indicating receipt of a physical item associated with a currency
value; increase the credit amount stored in the memory based on the
currency value of the received physical item; receive a wager on a
gaming event, where an amount of the wager is deducted from the
credit amount stored in the memory; display a first game outcome on
the game grid; determine whether a first game reel includes a first
special symbol in the game grid, and whether a second game reel
includes a second special symbol in the game grid based on the
first game outcome; combine symbols of the first game reel as
displayed in the game grid with symbols of the second game reel as
displayed in the game grid as part of the first game outcome when
the first game reel includes the first special symbol in the game
grid, and the second game reel includes the second special symbol
in the game grid, where associated combined symbols form respective
multi-indicia symbols; determine replacement symbols for any symbol
positions that have been vacated on the game grid from the
combining of symbols; determine a second game outcome based on the
game grid including the combined symbols and the replacement
symbols; evaluate the second game outcome based on a paytable to
determine any awards associated with the second game outcome; and
increase the credit amount stored in memory by amounts of any
awards determined from the evaluation of the second game
outcome.
2. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein determining replacement
symbols for any symbol positions that have been vacated on the game
grid from the combining of symbols includes dropping a next
grouping of symbols on the game reel associated with the vacated
symbol positions into the vacated symbol positions on the game
grid.
3. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein determining replacement
symbols for any symbol positions that have been vacated on the game
grid from the combining of symbols includes re-spinning the game
reel associated with the vacated symbol positions.
4. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein determining replacement
symbols for any symbol positions that have been vacated on the game
grid from the combining of symbols includes spinning a new game
reel in the symbol positions associated with the vacated symbol
positions.
5. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein determining replacement
symbols for any symbol positions that have been vacated on the game
grid from the combining of symbols includes copying the combined
symbols to the respective symbol positions associated with the
vacated symbol positions.
6. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the processor is further
operable to evaluate the first game outcome prior to combining any
symbols.
7. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the first special symbol
and the second special symbol are symbols marked with a subsymbol
overlay.
8. The gaming device of claim 7, wherein the subsymbol overlays are
selected at random independently from the first game outcome.
9. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the first special symbol
and the second special symbol are symbols marked with fixed indicia
indicating that they are special symbols.
10. A method of operating a gaming device including a video display
device configured to display a game grid showing portions of a
plurality of game reels in a matrix of symbol positions, a memory
device configured to store a credit amount, a wager input device
structured to receive physical items associated with currency
values, and a processor, the method comprising: receiving a signal
from the wager input device indicating receipt of a physical item
associated with a currency value; increasing the credit amount
stored in the memory based on the currency value of the received
physical item; receiving a wager on a gaming event, where an amount
of the wager is deducted from the credit amount stored in the
memory; displaying a first game outcome on the game grid;
determining whether a first game reel includes a first special
symbol in the game grid, and whether a second game reel includes a
second special symbol in the game grid based on the first game
outcome; combining symbols of the first game reel as displayed in
the game grid with symbols of the second game reel as displayed in
the game grid as part of the first game outcome when the first game
reel includes the first special symbol in the game grid, and the
second game reel includes the second special symbol in the game
grid, where associated combined symbols form respective
multi-indicia symbols; determining replacement symbols for any
symbol positions that have been vacated on the game grid from the
combining of symbols; determining a second game outcome based on
the game grid including the combined symbols and the replacement
symbols; evaluating the second game outcome based on a paytable to
determine any awards associated with the second game outcome; and
increasing the credit amount stored in memory by amounts of any
awards determined from the evaluation of the second game
outcome.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein determining replacement symbols
for any symbol positions that have been vacated on the game grid
from the combining of symbols includes dropping a next grouping of
symbols on the game reel associated with the vacated symbol
positions into the vacated symbol positions on the game grid.
12. The method of claim 10, wherein determining replacement symbols
for any symbol positions that have been vacated on the game grid
from the combining of symbols includes re-spinning the game reel
associated with the vacated symbol positions.
13. The method of claim 10, wherein determining replacement symbols
for any symbol positions that have been vacated on the game grid
from the combining of symbols includes spinning a new game reel in
the symbol positions associated with the vacated symbol
positions.
14. The method of claim 10, wherein determining replacement symbols
for any symbol positions that have been vacated on the game grid
from the combining of symbols includes copying the combined symbols
to the respective symbol positions associated with the vacated
symbol positions.
15. The method of claim 10, further comprising evaluating the first
game outcome prior to combining any symbols.
16. The method of claim 10, wherein the first special symbol and
the second special symbol are symbols marked with a subsymbol
overlay.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein the subsymbol overlays are
selected at random independently from the first game outcome.
18. The method of claim 10, wherein the first special symbol and
the second special symbol are symbols marked with fixed indicia
indicating that they are special symbols.
19. A gaming device comprising: a video display device configured
to display a game grid showing portions of a plurality of game
reels in a matrix of symbol positions; a memory device configured
to store a credit amount; a wager input device structured to
receive physical items associated with currency values; and a
processor operable to: receive a signal from the wager input device
indicating receipt of a physical item associated with a currency
value; increase the credit amount stored in the memory based on the
currency value of the received physical item; receive a wager on a
first gaming event, where an amount of the wager is deducted from
the credit amount stored in the memory; display a first game
outcome on the game grid; determine whether a first game reel
includes a first stack of predetermined symbols filling a column in
the game grid, and whether a second game reel, not adjacent to the
first game reel, includes a second stack of predetermined symbols
filing another column in the game grid based on the first game
outcome; move symbols of the second game reel to replace symbols in
a third game reel adjacent to the first game reel when the first
game reel includes a first stack of predetermined symbols filling a
column in the game grid, and the second game reel includes a second
stack of predetermined symbols filing another column in the game
grid; determine replacement symbols for any symbol positions that
have been vacated on the game grid from the moving of symbols;
determine a second game outcome based on the game grid including
the moved symbols and the replacement symbols; evaluate the second
game outcome based on a paytable to determine any awards associated
with the second game outcome; and increase the credit amount stored
in memory by amounts of any awards determined from the evaluation
of the second game outcome.
20. The gaming device of claim 19, wherein the processor is further
operable to: maintain the first stack of predetermined symbols
filling a column in the game grid and maintain the second stack of
predetermined symbol filling an adjacent column in the game grid;
receive a wager on a second gaming event, where an amount of the
wager is deducted from the credit amount stored in the memory; and
determining a third game outcome, where the third game outcome
includes the maintained first stack of predetermined symbols and
the maintained adjacent second stack of symbols.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of Provisional Patent
Application No. 62/419,387 filed on Nov. 8, 2017, to which priority
is claimed pursuant to 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 119(e), and is a
continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/431,742 filed
Feb. 13, 2017, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.
14/193,297, filed Feb. 28, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,569,935, which
claims the benefit of Provisional Patent Application No. 61/771,731
filed on Mar. 1, 2013, to which priority is claimed pursuant to 35
U.S.C. .sctn. 119(e), all of which are incorporated herein by
reference in their entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This disclosure relates generally to wagering games, and
more particularly to wagering games played on gaming apparatuses
where the wagering games include methods for combining symbols
during game play.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Casino games such as poker, slots, and craps have long been
enjoyed as a means of entertainment. Almost any game of chance that
can be played using traditional apparatus (e.g., cards, dice) can
be simulated on a computer. The popularity of casino gambling with
wagering continues to increase, as does recreational gambling such
as non-wagering computer game gambling. It is also likely that most
new games will be implemented, at least in part, using computerized
apparatus.
[0004] One reason that casino games are widely implemented on
computerized apparatus is that computerized games are highly
adaptable, easily configurable and re-configurable, and require
minimal supervision to operate. For example, the graphics and
sounds included in such games can be easily modified to reflect
popular subjects, such as movies and television shows.
[0005] Computer gaming devices can also be easily adapted to
provide entirely new games of chance that might be difficult to
implement using mechanical or discrete electronic circuits. Because
of the ubiquity of computerized gaming machines, players have come
to expect the availability of an ever wider selection of new games
when visiting casinos and other gaming venues. Playing new games
adds to the excitement of "gaming " As is well known in the art and
as used herein, the term "gaming" and "gaming devices" generally
involves some form of wagering, and that players make wagers of
value, whether actual currency or something else of value, e.g.,
token or credit. Wagering-type games usually provide rewards based
on random chance as opposed to skill. In some jurisdictions, the
absence of skill when determining awards during game play is a
requirement.
[0006] The present disclosure describes methods, systems, and
apparatus that provide for new and interesting gaming experiences,
and that provide other advantages over the prior art.
SUMMARY
[0007] To overcome limitations in the prior art described above,
and to overcome other limitations that will become apparent upon
reading and understanding the present specification, the present
invention is directed to an apparatus, system, computer readable
storage media, and/or method that involve or otherwise facilitate
combining symbols (also referred to as indicia or markings) during
game play. In one embodiment, a gaming device can be configured to
display a plurality of game elements in a grid that display game
symbols from a plurality of reels according to random game outcome
in response to a game initiation signal. When one or more
predefined game conditions are satisfied, one or more rows or
columns of game elements in the grid are moved to share game
element locations of another row or column in the grid. In some
instances, one or more of the symbols that left their respective
game elements are replaced with additional game symbols. The
resulting grid may then be evaluated to determine prizes associated
with winning symbol combinations, including using one or both of
the symbols combined in the single game element in the winning
symbol combinations.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIGS. 1A and 1B are diagrams of a gaming machine according
to embodiments of the invention.
[0009] FIGS. 2A and 2B are diagrams of a gaming display
illustrating example game play according to embodiments of the
invention.
[0010] FIGS. 3A and 3B are schematic diagrams illustrating example
combination operations according to embodiments of the
invention.
[0011] FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C, and 4D are diagrams of a gaming display
illustrating example game play according to embodiments of the
invention.
[0012] FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C are diagrams of a gaming display
illustrating example game play according to embodiments of the
invention.
[0013] FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C are diagrams of a gaming display
illustrating example game play according to embodiments of the
invention.
[0014] FIGS. 7A, 7B, 7C, 7D, and 7E are diagrams of a gaming
display illustrating example game play according to embodiments of
the invention.
[0015] FIGS. 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D, 8E, and 8F are diagrams of a gaming
display illustrating example game play according to embodiments of
the invention.
[0016] FIGS. 9A, 9B, 9C, 9D, 9E, 9F, 9G, and 9H are diagrams of a
gaming display illustrating example game play according to
embodiments of the invention.
[0017] FIGS. 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, and 10E are diagrams of a gaming
display illustrating example game play according to embodiments of
the invention.
[0018] FIGS. 11A and 11B are diagrams of a gaming display
illustrating example game play according to embodiments of the
invention.
[0019] FIG. 12 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of operating
a gaming device according to embodiments of the invention.
[0020] FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating a computing
arrangement according to embodiments of the invention.
[0021] FIGS. 14A, 14B, 14C, and 14D are diagrams of a gaming
display illustrating example game play according to embodiments of
the invention.
[0022] FIGS. 15A, 15B, 15C, and 15D are diagrams of a gaming
display illustrating example game play according to embodiments of
the invention.
[0023] FIGS. 16A, 16B, 16C, 16D, and 16E are diagrams of a gaming
display illustrating example game play according to embodiments of
the invention.
[0024] FIGS. 17A, 17B, 17C, 17D, 17E, 17F, and 17G are diagrams of
a gaming display illustrating example game play according to
embodiments of the invention.
[0025] FIGS. 18A, 18B, 18C, 18D, 18E, 18F, and 18G are diagrams of
a gaming display illustrating example game play according to
embodiments of the invention.
[0026] FIGS. 19A, 19B, 19C, and 19D are diagrams of a gaming
display illustrating example game play according to embodiments of
the invention.
[0027] FIGS. 20A, 20B, 20C, and 20D are diagrams of a gaming
display illustrating example game play according to embodiments of
the invention.
[0028] FIGS. 21A, 21B, 21C, and 21D are diagrams of a gaming
display illustrating example game play according to embodiments of
the invention.
[0029] FIGS. 22A, 22B, 22C, and 22D are diagrams of a gaming
display illustrating example game play according to embodiments of
the invention.
[0030] FIGS. 23A, 23B, 23C, and 23D are diagrams of a gaming
display illustrating example game play according to embodiments of
the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0031] In the following description of various exemplary
embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which
form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration
representative embodiments in which the features described herein
may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may
be utilized, as structural and operational changes may be made
without departing from the scope of the disclosure.
[0032] In the description that follows, the term "reels," "cards,"
"decks," and similar mechanically descriptive language may be used
to describe various apparatus presentation features, as well as
various actions occurring to those object (e.g., "spin," "draw,"
"hold," "bet"). Although the present disclosure may be applicable
to both to manual, mechanical, and computerized embodiments, and
any combination therebetween, the use of mechanically descriptive
terms is not meant to be only applicable to mechanical embodiments.
Those skilled in the art will understand that, for purposes of
providing gaming experiences to players, mechanical elements such
as cards, reels, and the like may be simulated on a display in
order to provide a familiar and satisfying experience that emulates
the behavior of mechanical objects, as well as emulating actions
that occur in the non-computerized games (e.g., spinning, holding,
drawing, betting). Further, the computerized version may provide
the look of mechanical equivalents but may be generally randomized
in a different way. Thus, the terms "cards," "decks," "reels,"
"hands," etc., are intended to describe both physical objects and
emulation or simulations of those objects and their behaviors using
electronic apparatus.
[0033] In various embodiments of the invention, the gaming displays
are described in conjunction with the use of data in the form of
"symbols." In the context of this disclosure, a "symbol" may
generally refer at least to a collection of one or more arbitrary
indicia or signs that have some conventional significance. In
particular, a symbol can represent a value that can at least be
used to determine whether to award a payout. A symbol may include
numbers, letters, shapes, pictures, textures, colors, sounds, etc.,
and any combination therebetween. A win can be determined by
comparing a symbol with one or more additional symbols. Generally,
such comparisons can be performed via software by mapping numbers
(or other data structures such as character strings) to the symbols
and performing the comparisons on the numbers/data structures.
Other conventions associated with known games (e.g., the numerical
value/ordering of face cards and aces in card games) may also be
programmatically analyzed to determine winning combinations.
[0034] Generally, systems, apparatuses and methods are described
for enhancing winning result opportunities in gaming activities.
The systems, apparatuses and methods described herein may be
implemented as a single game, or part of a multi-part game. For
example, the game features described herein may be implemented in
primary gaming activities, bonus games, side bet games or other
secondary games associated with a primary gaming activity. The game
features may be implemented in stand-alone games, multi-player
games, etc. Further, the disclosure may be applied to any games of
chance, and descriptions provided in the context of any
representative embodiment (e.g. video poker) are provided for
purposes of facilitating an understanding of the features described
herein. However, the principles described herein are equally
applicable to any game of chance where an outcome(s) is determined
for use in the player's gaming activity. The game features
described herein may be employed in stand-alone games, a
primary/base games, bonus games, side bet games, etc.
[0035] Embodiments of the present concept include providing gaming
devices (also referred to as gaming apparatuses or gaming
machines), gaming systems, and methods of operating these devices
or systems to provide game play that utilizes operations of
combining game symbols (i.e., the markings or indicia on game
elements) in response to predefined conditions. In one embodiment,
a method of operating a gaming device includes displaying a
plurality of game elements each including a game symbol on a game
display in response to a game initiation signal. When one or more
predefined game conditions are satisfied, the method further
includes combining two or more of the game symbols, and in some
embodiments replacing one or more of the symbols that left their
respective game elements to make the combinations with additional
game symbols. In some embodiments, the game symbols are combined by
moving all the symbols indicated by the predefined condition to a
single game element; thereby creating a multi-indicia game element
for use in evaluating awards or other game play functions. In other
embodiments, one or more symbols that are indicated by the
satisfied predefined condition are moved from their respective game
elements to elements in a secondary game play area for use in
evaluating awards or other game play functions. In yet other
embodiments, symbols indicated by the satisfied predefined
condition are grouped together, evaluated for awards, and removed
from the game display to allow the additional game symbols to fill
the empty game element locations. In other embodiments, the game
symbols may not be combined visually, but are combined
mathematically. For example, in a mechanical spinning reel game,
symbols appearing on the game reels may be combined mathematically,
with one or more reels respinning for a new outcome, even though
the physical symbols do not visually combine. In some example
embodiments, a secondary screen may show the symbols combining, or
an overlying transmissive portion of the display may be used to
show the symbols combining even though the underlying symbols are
not visually combined. In yet other embodiments, symbols may be
arranged or categorized into layers where rules apply about
combining elements assigned to certain symbol layers. For example,
a slot symbol may be associated with a particular background where
only symbols having similar back grounds are combined. In another
example, playing cards may have sub-symbols or special card
markings that at least partially dictate when card symbols are
combined. The layer rules may also coincide with other combination
rules. For example, certain symbols may only combine within a
similar layer while other symbols may combine with either similar
layer symbols or symbols in at least one other layer.
[0036] Numerous variations are possible using these and other
embodiments of the inventive concept. Some of these embodiments and
variations are discussed below with reference to the drawings.
However, many other embodiments and variations exist that are
covered by the principles and scope of this concept. For example,
although some of the embodiments discussed below involve video
poker or reel-based slot machine examples of this concept, other
embodiments include application of symbol combination techniques in
other types of poker games, slot games, keno games, bingo games,
blackjack games, baccarat games, or other games of chance. Some of
these other types of embodiments will be discussed below as
variations to the examples illustrated. However, many other types
of games can implement similar techniques and fall within the scope
of this inventive concept.
[0037] Referring to the example gaming apparatus 100 shown in FIGS.
1A and 1B, the gaming apparatus includes a display portion 102
(also referred to as a gaming display), and a player interface
portion 104, although some or all of the user interface 104 may be
provided via the display 102 in touch screen embodiments. The
display portion 102 may include one or more display areas 106 that
may be included in physically separate displays or as portions of a
common large display. Here, the game display 106 includes a game
play portion 108 that displays game elements and symbols 110, and
an operations portion 109 that can include meters, various game
buttons, or other game information for a player of the gaming
device 100.
[0038] The user interface 104 allows the user to control and engage
in play of the gaming machine 100. The particular user interface
mechanisms included with user interface 104 may be dependent on the
type of gaming device. For example, the user interface 104 may
include one or more buttons, switches, joysticks, levers, pull-down
handles, trackballs, voice-activated input, or any other user input
system or mechanism that allows the user to play the particular
gaming activity.
[0039] The user interface 104 may allow the user or player to enter
coins, bills, or otherwise obtain credits through vouchers, tokens,
credit cards, tickets, etc. Various mechanisms for entering such
vouchers, tokens, credit cards, coins, tickets, etc. are known in
the art. For example, coin/symbol input mechanisms, card readers,
credit card readers, smart card readers, punch card readers, radio
frequency identifier (RFID) readers, and other mechanisms may be
used to enter wagers. It is through the user interface 104 that the
player can initiate and engage in gaming activities. While the
illustrated embodiment depicts various buttons for the user
interface 104, it should be recognized that a wide variety of user
interface options are available for use in connection with the
present invention, including pressing buttons, touching a segment
of a touch-screen, entering text, entering voice commands, or other
known data entry methodology.
[0040] The display device 102 may include one or more of an
electronic display, a mechanical display, and a fixed display
information, such as paytable information associated with a
glass/plastic panel on the gaming machine 100. The symbols or other
indicia associated with the play of the game may be presented on an
electronic display device or on mechanical devices associated with
a mechanical display. Generally, the display 102 devotes the
largest portion of viewable area to the primary gaming portion 106.
The gaming portion 106 is generally where the visual feedback for
any selected game is provided to the user. The gaming portion 106
may render graphical objects such as cards, slot reels, dice,
animated characters, and any other gaming visual known in the art.
The gaming portion 106 also typically informs players of the
outcome of any particular event, including whether the event
resulted in a win or loss.
[0041] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1A, a video poker game is
available for play on the gaming device. Hence, the game play
portion 108 includes playing cards as game elements 110 with
associated rank and suit markings on the cards making up the
symbols that appear on the elements. Here, as illustrated by the
dashed line 112, a poker hand that meets or satisfies a predefined
condition may have one or more of the cards combine during game
play. For example, in this embodiment, cards of the same rank
combine into multi-indicia symbols on a single card element. Here,
the Jack of Hearts (J-H) is combined with the Jack of Spades (J-S)
to form a multi-indicia card at the third card position in the
video poker hand. Another card may fill in the spot vacated by the
J-H and the hand may be evaluated for awards. These and other
symbol combining techniques may be used in various poker games,
including draw and/or stud poker, as well as in slot machine games,
black jack games, keno games, or any other wagering game of
chance.
[0042] The gaming portion 106 may include other features known in
the art that facilitate gaming, such as status and control portion
109. As is generally known in the art, this portion 109 provides
information about current bets, current wins, remaining credits,
etc. associated with gaming activities of the grid 108. The control
portion 109 may also provide touchscreen controls for facilitating
game play. The grid 108 may also include touchscreen features, such
as facilitating selection of individual cards for holding prior to
draw of new cards and/or advancing particular cards to move up to
the next hand if conditions are satisfied. The gaming portion 106
of the display 102 may include other features that are not shown,
such as paytables, navigation controls, etc.
[0043] FIG. 1B illustrates another embodiment on the display device
102. Here, a poker game may include multiple poker hands in the
same poker game. These multiple hands include a first poker hand
124, a second poker hand 126, and a third poker hand 128, although
more or fewer poker hands are possible in other multiple hand poker
embodiments. As shown in FIG. 1B, these embodiments may have
similar rules to conventional multi-hand poker games where cards
are dealt to the first poker hand 124 while cards in the second and
third poker hands 126, 128 are initially face down. Cards held in
the first poker hand 124, including multi-indicia cards that have
been combined (e.g., the 4-Clubs/4-Hearts), are replicated in the
second, third and any other subsequent poker hand 126, 128.
Replacement cards may then be drawn for the first poker hand 124,
second poker hand 126, and third poker hand 128. These replacement
cards may come from separate card decks or may come from a single
card deck. Thus, in a three poker hand embodiment, three separate
card decks may be used, or a single card deck may be used. Although
one multiple hand poker game is shown in FIG. 1B, other types of
multiple poker hand embodiments are possible, such as multiple hand
poker games where each poker hand is independent of one another, or
dependent in a different manner from the multi-hand poker
embodiment shown in FIG. 1B.
[0044] FIGS. 2A-11 and 14A-18G illustrate several embodiments of
examples of how this concept can be implemented into the game play
of gaming devices. As discussed above, this is not an exhaustive
list of possible embodiments. Rather, these figures and the
accompanying text are discussed to provide some of the ways this
inventive concept can be implemented in gaming devices.
[0045] Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B a gaming display 200 includes a
video poker game utilizing some of the symbol combining techniques
included in this concept. Here a five-card stud poker hand 210 is
provided in the game play portion of the display 200, along with a
game paytable 202 and an operations potion 204 that includes
various meters and buttons, such as a "Total Bet" meter or
indicator 206 and a "Paid" indicator 208. As discussed above, when
various predefined conditions are satisfied or met during game
play, one or more game symbols are combined to provide various hand
combinations during award evaluations. That is, cards or card
symbols can move to other card locations or other game areas based
on predetermined move criteria or conditions. For poker hands,
there are numerous types of predefined conditions or move criteria
that can be implemented to determine if or when card symbols are
moved and combined. For example, the predefined conditions may
include any or a combination of the following: 1) Cards of the same
rank being combined; 2) Only pairs of cards being combined; 3) Four
cards to a royal flush are combined; 4) Any cards to a Royal Flush
are Combined; 4) Suited cards one rank apart are combined (such as
the 8 of Hearts combining with the 9 of Hearts); 5) Any suited
cards are combined; 6) Any cards one rank apart are combined; 7)
Cards being dealt or drawn to certain card positions in the hand;
or 8) any other of the multitude of possible rules or multi-step
rules that could be applied as a predefined or predetermined
condition for combining cards or card symbols.
[0046] Returning to FIGS. 2A and 2B, the predefined conditions in
this embodiment include any number of cards of the same rank are
combined. Thus, the two Kings shown in FIG. 2A are combined as
shown in FIG. 2B, and another card is automatically drawn into the
location occupied by the K-D which moved to combine with the K-S.
Here, the additional drawn card was the K-H. The stud poker hand
210 is now evaluated against the paytable 202 (i.e., the coded or
saved version of the displayed paytable that is stored in memory).
There are various methods to evaluating the final poker hand, many
of which are discussed below with respect to some of the other
illustrated embodiments. These methods include providing a pay for
the best five card hand using all of the cards displayed in the
stud poker hand 210 where each symbol on the multi-indicia card
(i.e., the combined K-S, K-D card element) is evaluated as a
separate card, enumerating all of the possible five card hands
using the combined multi-indicia cards and paying for each winning
hand, or various other methods. In this example embodiment, only
the highest paying five card hand is paid. Thus, the 5 of Hearts
(5-H) is not used and each King from the multi-indicia card is used
to provide a three-of-a-kind hand of Kings with an associated award
of 15 credits as shown in the paid meter 208. Note that a bet of 10
credits included 5 credits wagered on the stud poker hand 210 and
five credits for the feature of using combined cards in the game
play, although various other betting methods are possible.
[0047] FIGS. 3A and 3B are schematic diagrams illustrating example
combination operations according to embodiments of the invention.
Referring to FIG. 3A, an initial hand 310A includes five playing
cards 314A-318A. According to a predefined condition, if two or
more cards of the same rank are displayed in the hand 310A, they
are combined. Here, the A-S and A-H are both included in the hand
and are identified 312A and combined to form a resulting hand 311A
where the A-S and A-H are formed into a multi-indicia card or are
otherwise combined. An additional card may then be selected to fill
the vacant card slot 319A that resulted from the movement and
combination of the A-S and A-H. In other embodiments, however, no
additional cards may be selected or otherwise used to fill the
vacant card slot 319A.
[0048] Referring to FIG. 3B, another initial five card poker hand
310B is provided that includes five cards 314B-318B. Here, a
predefined condition includes the rule that four cards to a Royal
Flush are combined. Since four cards are provided in the initial
hand 310B that form part of a Royal Flush, they are identified 312B
and combined to form the resulting hand 311B. The combined card at
312B now has the indicia or symbols of four playing cards (A-S,
K-S, J-S, and 10-S) while three other card locations (319B, 320B,
and 321B) are now open and can be filled with additional cards, or
not filled at all in other embodiments. Here, the player is likely
hoping that one of the new cards that fill these vacant locations
is the Q-S, which would complete the Royal Flush.
[0049] A five-card draw poker embodiment is shown in FIGS. 4A-4D
where the combining of cards is done prior to the draw and the best
five card hand is paid. As discussed in other embodiments below,
the movement and combination of cards or other symbols (such as in
a slot game) can be done at various times or stages of the game and
the evaluation techniques of the resulting hand or outcome can use
one or more of various evaluation techniques. Referring to FIGS.
4A, 4B, 4C, and 4D, a gaming display 400 includes a poker hand 410
in the game play portion of the display, along with various meters
and buttons, such as a "Total Bet" meter 406, a "Paid" meter 408,
multiple "Hold" game buttons 460 associated with card positions in
the poker hand 410, and a "Deal/Draw" game button 450.
[0050] In FIG. 4A, a hand 410 is dealt on a gaming display 400 that
includes two Queens. In this embodiment, one of the predefined
combination conditions is that cards of a similar rank are combined
to form a multi-indicia card symbol. Here, since there are two
Queens, the Q-H is moved to the location occupied by the Q-D
(although movement in the opposite direction is also possible) to
form a multi-indicia card showing both Queen symbols.
[0051] As shown in FIG. 4C, another card has been used to replace
the card location vacated by the Q-H. In this instance, the new
card is the J-S. In some embodiments, this J-S may be combined with
the J-C prior and a new replacement card drawn for the vacated card
position, but in the currently illustrated embodiment, only a
single combination is allowed from the originally dealt hand. The
player has held the J-C, the multi-indicia Q-D/Q-H and the J-S
using the provided buttons 460 (or by using buttons on the player
interface portion of the game, by touching the cards themselves, or
using any other known techniques to hold the cards). After holding
the desired cards, the gaming device discards the cards not held,
and draws new cards to replace the discarded cards as shown in FIG.
4D. Here, the player has received the 2-H and J-D on the draw.
Although in some embodiments, another condition may trigger
additional card movement or combinations (such as combining the
Jacks), this illustrated embodiment simply evaluates the resulting
hand for awards by determining the best five-card hand. Here, the
2-H is not used and a Full House of Jacks over Queens is determined
to be the best five-card hand. The player is accordingly paid 45
credits as shown in the Paid meter 408.
[0052] The embodiments shown in FIGS. 5A-5C are very similar to
those shown above in FIGS. 4A-4D, except that instead of simply
paying the best five-card hand, each of the possible resulting five
card hands are enumerated and evaluated. Referring to FIGS. 5A-5C,
a gaming display 500 includes a poker hand 510 in the game play
portion of the display, along with various meters and buttons, such
as a "Total Bet" meter 506, a "Paid" meter 508, multiple "Hold"
game buttons 560 associated with card positions in the poker hand
510, and a "Deal/Draw" game button 550. These embodiments also have
a secondary card display that shows possible enumerated poker hands
512, 514, 516, 518, 520, 522 that are used to show enumerated poker
hands when a two cards are combined in the main poker hand 510 to
form a multi-indicia poker card.
[0053] Here, as shown in FIG. 5C, the player is paid for a two-pair
win in hands 512, 518, and 522, as well as being paid for
three-of-a-kind wins for hands 514 and 520 and a full house win in
hand 516. The sum of these awards is displayed in the Paid meter
508. In some embodiments, the rules associated with the predefined
condition may specify that only one set of two cards can be
combined with any hand. Such embodiments may include combining
pairs of cards, or suited cards one rank apart, or combinations
according to other rules. These embodiments may be used when all
hands are enumerated above and main hand area, although not
necessarily as the number of hands shown enumerated can be done in
various manners.
[0054] The embodiments shown in FIGS. 6A-6C illustrate a stud poker
example where the predefined conditions include combining four
cards to a Royal Flush. Referring to FIGS. 6A-6C, a gaming display
600 includes a poker hand 610 in the game play portion of the
display, along with various meters and buttons, such as a "Total
Bet" meter 606, a "Paid" meter 608, and a "Deal" game button
650.
[0055] As shown in FIG. 6B the A-H, K-H, Q-H, and 10-H are all
combined to a multi-indicia card. In FIG. 6C, replacement cards are
provided in the card locations that were vacated by the moved
cards, and all five card hands that could be created using the
resulting poker hand are paid. Here, the player missed out on the
Royal Flush (i.e., did not receive the J-H in the replacement
cards), but did manage to get a flush pay (Hearts with the 4-H), a
straight pay (with the J-S) and a jacks-or-better pair pay (with
the Q-D). Since this embodiment pays all of the possible five card
pays (enumeration can be done in various visual/auditory ways to
show the different pays, or no enumeration may be shown), the Paid
meter reflects the sum of the awards associated with the paying
poker hands.
[0056] The embodiment shown in FIGS. 7A, 7B, 7C, 7D, and 7E have a
slightly different rule set then the embodiments discussed above.
Referring to FIGS. 7A-7E, a gaming display 700 includes a poker
hand 710 in the game play portion of the display, along with
various meters and buttons, such as a "Total Bet" meter 706, a
"Paid" meter 708, multiple "Hold" game buttons 760 associated with
card positions in the poker hand 710, and a "Deal/Draw" game button
750.
[0057] Here, the predefined conditions specify that any card
movement/combinations are made after the draw in the draw poker
game. Thus, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the player holds the best
dealt cards and draws to replace the three discarded cards. In FIG.
7C, the player has received her draw cards and the resulting hand
is compared against the rules specified in the predefined
conditions or criteria to determine if any cards should be moved or
combined. In this embodiment, the rules of the condition include
all cards of a particular rank are combined together. Here, the
player has received three Queens in the resulting hand, which are
then moved to a single card location and combined into a
multi-indicia game element, as shown in FIG. 7D. Additional
replacement cards are used to fill in the vacated card locations as
shown in FIG. 7E. The final hand with the replacement card is then
evaluated for awards. Here, the player received the fourth Queen
with the additional replacement cards and is paid for the best
five-card hand, which in this case is a four-of-a-kind associated
with 125 credits as shown on the Paid meter 708.
[0058] The embodiment shown in FIGS. 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D, 8E, and 8F
includes predefined conditions that allow card
movement/combinations both before and after the draw. Referring to
FIGS. 8A-8F, a gaming display 800 includes a poker hand 810 in the
game play portion of the display, along with various meters and
buttons, such as a "Total Bet" meter 806, a "Paid" meter 808,
multiple "Hold" game buttons 860 associated with card positions in
the poker hand 810, and a "Deal/Draw" game button 850.
[0059] As shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the initially dealt Queens are
combined into a multi indicia card prior to the player holding and
drawing cards. After a replacement card is dealt in FIG. 8C, the
player has the chance to hold cards. In other embodiments, the
Jacks may have also moved and combined to form another
multi-indicia card. However, in the embodiment illustrated here,
only one card combination movement is done before the draw. Here,
the player has held the Jacks and the multi-indicia Queens card.
FIG. 8D shows the result of the discard and draw. The player has
received another Jack on the draw. Although some embodiments may
pay for the best five-card hand at various stages in the game (such
as prior to the draw and after the draw), the embodiments shown in
conjunction with these figures pays for the best five card hand
after the draw and all other combinations have been made. Here,
since the rules associated with the predefined condition include
combining any cards of the same rank, the three Jacks are now
combined as shown in FIG. 8E, and additional replacement cards are
provided in the vacated card element locations as shown in FIG. 8F.
The final hand is then evaluated to determine the best five-card
poker hand. In this instance the best five-card hand is a Full
House of Queens over Jacks, which is associated with a 45 credit
pay as shown in the Paid meter 808.
[0060] The embodiments associated with FIGS. 9A, 9B, 9C, 9D, 9E,
9F, 9G, and 9H have a different method of handling and displaying
combination cards.
[0061] Referring to FIGS. 9A-9H, a gaming display 900 includes a
main poker hand 910 in the game play portion of the display and a
separate or secondary combination area 912 of the display, along
with various meters and buttons, such as a "Total Bet" meter 906, a
"Paid" meter 908, multiple "Hold" game buttons 960 associated with
card positions in the poker hand 910, a "Win" meter 930 associated
with the combination area of the display, and a "Deal/Draw" game
button 950.
[0062] These embodiments move the cards to be combined out of the
displayed hand 910, evaluate them for awards and then replace then
in the displayed hand. The combined cards that are moved out of the
main hand 910 may be continued to be displayed or may be removed
after any pays are awarded so that other cards can be combined and
evaluated. After all possible cards combinations are removed and
evaluated, the final poker hand may be evaluated to determine if
any other awards are associated with the final hand.
[0063] Referring to FIGS. 9A and 9B, the rules associated with the
predefined conditions in this embodiment specify that cards of the
same rank are combined and evaluated. Hence, the Queens that are
provided in the hand 910 shown in FIG. 9A are moved to a separate
combination area of the game display 912 and are evaluated for
awards, which appear on a related "Win" meter 930, as shown in FIG.
9B. Here, the Queens for a pair that are higher than
jacks-or-better, so they are paid 5 credits as shown on the Win
meter 930 in FIG. 9B. In FIG. 9C, the win from the Win meter 930 is
moved to the Paid meter 908 and the Queens in the combination area
are removed. Additional replacement cards are then provided in the
card element locations vacated by the two Queens. As shown in FIGS.
9C and 9D, these replacement cards include a J-S, which is then
pulled out and combined with the earlier dealt J-C in the
combination area 912. The pair of Jacks is evaluated and awarded 5
credits as shown on the Win meter 930.
[0064] The card elements vacated by the combined Jacks is then
provided with replacement cards as shown in FIG. 9E. As no further
pairs exist to be combined, the player is allowed to hold and draw
for another hand. Note that the award associated with the Jacks is
added from the Win meter 930 to the paid meter 908 as well in FIG.
9E. Here, the player has held the A-D and K-D and has discarded the
other three cards in the poker hand 910. As shown in FIG. 9F, the
draw replacement cards include two additional Kings. These Kings
are then combined with the previously held K-D and moved to the
combination area 912 to be evaluated, as shown in FIG. 9G. The
three-of-a-kind is associated with a 15 credit award, which is
shown in the Win meter 930. Replacement cards are provided for the
Kings in the main hand 910 as shown in FIG. 9H. Here, none of the
remaining cards satisfies the condition of cards having the same
rank. Thus, the game ends and the player is paid the sum of the
previously indicated wins.
[0065] In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, and
10E, cards that satisfy a predefined condition or criterion are
combined and moved to a new hand. Replacement cards are provided in
the first hand to replace the moved combination cards, and
additional cards are provided in the new hand to complete the new
hand.
[0066] Referring to FIGS. 10A-10E a gaming display 1000 includes a
first poker hand 1010 with associated first "Win" meter 1030, a
second poker hand 1012 with associated second "Win" meter 1032, and
third poker hand 1014 with associated third "Win" meter 1034. In
addition, the game display 1000 includes various other meters and
buttons, such as a "Total Bet" meter 1006, a "Paid" meter 1008, and
a "Deal" game button 1050.
[0067] Referring to FIGS. 10A and 10B, the initially dealt Queens
in the first hand 1010 are combined and moved to a second hand
1012. If no cards met the combination rules associated with the
predefined condition, then in these embodiments, the first hand
would be evaluated and the game would end. Other embodiments may,
however, include other game steps in these situations. Returning to
the illustrated embodiment, replacement cards are provided in the
first and 1010 to replace the combined Queens and new cards are
provided in the second hand 1012 to complete a five-card hand, as
shown in FIG. 10C. In this embodiment, the first hand 1010 is now
completed and is evaluated for any awards, which appear on the
first Win meter 1030. Here, the pair of Jacks is associated with an
award of 5 credits. In other embodiments, the pair of Jacks may be
combined such as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, or may be moved up to
another open hand and additional replacement cards would be used
until no cards in the hand satisfied the predefined conditions.
[0068] Returning to this illustrated embodiment, the second hand
1012 is compared against the predefined conditions and since there
are three Queens that meet the condition of cards being of the same
rank, they are combined and moved up to a third hand 1014, as shown
in FIG. 10D. Replacement cards are then provided in the second hand
1012 and it is evaluated to see if the hand is associated with any
awards, which would appear on the second Win meter 1032.
Additionally, new cards are used to complete the third hand 1014.
In this embodiment, the third hand 1014 is evaluated for awards
after it has been completed and no further card combinations are
used. However, in other embodiments, additional hands may be
present to move card combinations that meet the predefined
conditions or the cards may be combined into multi-indicia cards as
shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B. Here, the new cards used to fill out the
third hand 1014 include the fourth Queen resulting in a hand
evaluation of a four-of-a-kind, which has a corresponding award of
125 credits as shown in the third Win meter 1034. The totals from
all of the Win meters (1030, 1032, and 1034) are summed up and
shown in the Paid meter 1008.
[0069] In another similar embodiment, the combined cards may be
combined into a multi-indicia card and then moved up (e.g., the
Queens in FIG. 10A may be combined to a multi-indicia card and
pushed into the second hand 1012). If replacement cards also
satisfy a combination rule, they may push up the combined cards
from the previous hand to a third hand. In the example above, the
replacement cards may be revealed for the first hand 1010 before
any other cards are shown in the second hand 1012. When the two
jacks appear in the first hand due to the replacement cards, they
are combined and pushed to the second hand 1012. This push,
however, moves the multi-indicia queens from the second hand 1012
to the third hand 1014. Replacement cards are again drawn for the
first hand 1010. When no more combination cards exist for the first
hand, the first hand is evaluated for wins, and the replacement
cards are drawn for the second hand. The process of combining and
pushing cards meeting a combination criterion is carried out until
no cards in any hand that was activated by having cards pushed to
it has cards meeting a combination criteria. In this embodiment,
players can get a string of hands to play based on a good cards
received in an initially dealt hands, and timely replacement cards
being drawn.
[0070] The embodiment shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B illustrate
examples of games where the player is asked whether they want to
make the combination. Referring to FIGS. 11A and 11B, a gaming
display 1100 includes a poker hand 1110 in the game play portion of
the display, along with various meters and buttons, such as a
"Total Bet" meter 1106, a "Paid" meter 1108, multiple "Hold" game
buttons 1160 associated with card positions in the poker hand 1110,
and a "Deal/Draw" game button 1150.
[0071] As shown in FIG. 11A, the player is dealt a hand with four
club cards. The rules associated with the predefined condition look
to move and combine cards of the same rank, but for an additional
wager. Thus, the player has the option of combining the 6s for an
additional side bet or playing the hand as is without the
combination or additional bet. In some embodiments, it may be
advantageous to not combine cards, even when no extra wager is
required. If this possibility exists in certain games, these
embodiments may also ask the player if they want to combine cards
or not. Here, for example, as shown in FIG. 11B, a dialog box 1170
is presented asking whether the player would like to combine two or
more of the cards. In some embodiments, this combination action may
require an additional wager or side bet, while in other
embodiments, the choice to combine cards may not require any
additional wager.
[0072] In other embodiments, different conditions surrounding the
combination may dictate the amount required as an additional wager
to receive the combination. For example, if a player receives a
pair of 2s in a dealt hand, a dialog box 1170 may require an
additional wager of one credit to combine the 2s. On the other
hand, if four-to-a-royal-flush are initially dealt, a dialog box
1170 (or other request mechanism) may require an additional wager
of 25 credits to combine the four cards and draw four new cards.
This additional wager may be structured so that it is always
beneficial from a mathematical standpoint to combine the cards for
the additional wager.
[0073] FIG. 12 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of operating
a gaming device according to embodiments of the invention. Although
various processes are shown in a particular order in this flow
diagram, the order of these processes can be changed in other
embodiments without deviating from the scope or spirit of this
concept. Hence, the order of the processes shown is for
illustrative purposes only and is not meant to be restrictive.
Additional game processes may also be included between various
processes even though they are not shown in these flow diagrams for
clarity purposes. Further each of the processes may be performed by
components in a single game device, such as by a game processor, or
may be performed in part or whole by a remote server or processor
connected to the gaming device via a network. Each process may be
encoded in instructions that are stored in a memory, a
computer-readable medium, or another type of storage device.
[0074] Referring to FIG. 12, the flow begins at process 1200 where
a wager is received and a game is initiated. In process 1210 an
initial poker hand is dealt to a player. In process 1220 it is
determined if a predefined condition is satisfied. If the condition
is satisfied, the flow proceeds to process 1240 where cards meeting
the condition are combined. After combining the cards in process
1240, additional cards are dealt to complete the vacant card slots
or locations in process 1245. The flow then returns to process 1230
where the player is allowed to hold and draw cards. If the
predefined condition is not met as determined in process 1220, the
flow would proceed directly to process 1230 without combining any
cards. After the player is allowed to hold and draw cards, the flow
proceeds to process 1250 where the final poker hand is displayed,
and then to process 1260 where the final hand is evaluated for
awards.
[0075] Note that this example method is just one embodiment of how
a game operation can be implemented. As discussed and shown above,
many variations exist which may require additional, less, or
different processes to complete.
[0076] The embodiments discussed above are primarily related to
video poker games. However, this concept can be applied to a
variety of games of chance played on gaming devices. For example,
in a slot machine embodiment, symbols meeting predefined conditions
may be combined to form multi-indicia symbols, such as symbols
having subsections to display and use each of the combined symbols.
The vacant symbol locations may be filled with other symbols, the
reels associated with those vacant symbols may rotate or nudge to
complete the game screen, or the reels associated with the vacant
symbols may be re-spun. Some these possible embodiments are
discussed below in association with FIGS. 14A-18G.
[0077] As may now be readily understood, one or more devices may be
programmed to play various embodiments of the invention. The
present invention may be implemented as a casino gaming machine or
other special purpose gaming kiosk as described hereinabove, or may
be implemented via computing systems operating under the direction
of local gaming software, and/or remotely-provided software such as
provided by an application service provider (ASP). The casino
gaming machines utilize computing systems to control and manage the
gaming activity. An example of a representative computing system
capable of carrying out operations in accordance with the invention
is illustrated in FIG. 13.
[0078] Hardware, firmware, software or a combination thereof may be
used to perform the various gaming functions, display presentations
and operations described herein. The functional modules used in
connection with the invention may reside in a gaming machine as
described, or may alternatively reside on a stand-alone or
networked computer. The computing structure 1300 of FIG. 13 is an
example computing structure that can be used in connection with
such electronic gaming machines, computers, or other
computer-implemented devices to carry out operations of the present
invention.
[0079] The example computing arrangement 1300 suitable for
performing the gaming functions in accordance with the present
invention typically includes a central processor (CPU) 1302 coupled
to random access memory (RAM) 1304 and some variation of read-only
memory (ROM) 1306. The ROM 1306 may also represent other types of
storage media to store programs, such as programmable ROM (PROM),
erasable PROM (EPROM), etc. The processor 1302 may communicate with
other internal and external components through input/output (I/O)
circuitry 1308 and bussing 1310, to provide control signals,
communication signals, and the like.
[0080] The computing arrangement 1300 may also include one or more
data storage devices, including hard and floppy disk drives 1312,
CD-ROM drives 1314, card reader 1315, and other hardware capable of
reading and/or storing information such as DVD, etc. In one
embodiment, software for carrying out the operations in accordance
with the present invention may be stored and distributed on a
CD-ROM 1316, diskette 1318, access card 1319, or other form of
computer readable media capable of portably storing information.
These storage media may be inserted into, and read by, devices such
as the CD-ROM drive 1314, the disk drive 1312, card reader 1315,
etc. The software may also be transmitted to the computing
arrangement 1300 via data signals, such as being downloaded
electronically via a network, such as the Internet. Further, as
previously described, the software for carrying out the functions
associated with the present invention may alternatively be stored
in internal memory/storage of the computing device 1300, such as in
the ROM 1306.
[0081] The computing arrangement 1300 is coupled to the display
1311, which represents a display on which the gaming activities in
accordance with the invention are presented. The display 1311
represents the "presentation" of the video information in
accordance with the invention, and may be any type of known display
or presentation screen, such as liquid crystal displays, plasma
displays, cathode ray tubes (CRT), digital light processing (DLP)
displays, liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS) displays, etc.
[0082] Where the computing device 1300 represents a stand-alone or
networked computer, the display 1311 may represent a standard
computer terminal or display capable of displaying multiple
windows, frames, etc. Where the computing device is embedded within
an electronic gaming machine, the display 1311 corresponds to the
display screen of the gaming machine/kiosk. A user input interface
1322 such as a mouse, keyboard/keypad, microphone, touch pad,
trackball, joystick, touch screen, voice-recognition system, etc.
may be provided. The display 1311 may also act as a user input
device, e.g., where the display 1311 is a touchscreen device.
[0083] Chance-based gaming systems such as slot machines, in which
the present invention is applicable, are governed by random numbers
and processors, as facilitated by a random number generator (RNG).
The fixed and dynamic symbols generated as part of a gaming
activity may be produced using one or more RNGs. RNGs as known in
the art may be implemented using hardware, software operable in
connection with the processor 1302, or some combination of hardware
and software. The present invention is operable using any known
RNG, and may be integrally programmed as part of the processor 1302
operation, or alternatively may be a separate RNG controller
1340.
[0084] The computing arrangement 1300 may be connected to other
computing devices or gaming machines, such as via a network. The
computing arrangement 1300 may be connected to a network server
1328 in an intranet or local network configuration. The computer
may further be part of a larger network configuration as in a
global area network (GAN) such as the Internet. In such a case, the
computer may have access to one or more web servers via the
Internet. In other arrangements, the computing arrangement 1300 may
be configured as an Internet server and software for carrying out
the operations in accordance with the present invention may
interact with the player via one or more networks.
[0085] Other components directed to gaming machine implementations
include manners of gaming participant payment, and gaming machine
payout. For example, a gaming machine including the computing
arrangement 1300 may also include a hopper controller 1342 to
determine the amount of payout to be provided to the participant.
The hopper controller may be integrally implemented with the
processor 1302, or alternatively as a separate hopper controller
1342. A hopper 1344 may also be provided in gaming machine
embodiments, where the hopper serves as the mechanism holding the
coins/tokens of the machine. The wager input module 1346 represents
any mechanism for accepting coins, tokens, coupons, bills,
electronic fund transfer (EFT), tickets, credit cards, smart cards,
membership cards, etc., for which a participant inputs a wager
amount. It will be appreciated that the primary gaming software
1332 may be able to control payouts via the hopper 1344 and
controller 1342 for independently determined payout events.
[0086] Among other functions, the computing arrangement 1300
provides an interactive experience to players via input interface
1322 and output devices, such as the display 1311, speaker 1330,
etc. These experiences are generally controlled by gaming software
1332 that controls a primary gaming activity of the computing
arrangement 1300. The gaming software 1332 may be temporarily
loaded into RAM 1304, and may be stored locally using any
combination of ROM 1306, drives 1312, media player 1314, or other
computer-readable storage media known in the art. The primary
gaming software 1332 may also be accessed remotely, such as via the
server 1328 or the Internet.
[0087] The primary gaming software 1332 in the computing
arrangement 1300 is shown here as an application software module.
According to embodiments of the present invention, this software
1332 provides a slot game or similar game of chance as described
hereinabove. For example, the software 1332 may present, by way of
the display 1311, representations of symbols to map or otherwise
display as part of a slot based game having reels. However, in
other embodiments, the principles of this concept may be applied to
poker games or other types of games of chance. One or more aligned
positions of these game elements may be evaluated to determine
awards based on a paytable. The software 1332 may include
instructions to provide other functionality as known in the art and
described herein, such as shown and described above regarding FIGS.
1A-12 and below regarding FIGS. 14A-21D.
[0088] FIGS. 14A-19D illustrate embodiments of slot games utilizing
symbol combination/movement techniques included in the present
concept. Each of the figure families (FIGS. 14A-14D, 15A-15D,
16A-16E, 17A-G, 18A-G, 19A-D, 20A-D, AND 21A-D) show some of the
possible combination/movement technique variations. However, many
other implementations and embodiments are possible. For example,
while the following embodiments illustrate a video slot game with
five reels and three reel-stop locations associated with a main
game display, other embodiments may include physical reels,
transmissive-screen overlays, more or less reels, more or less reel
stop locations associated with one or more of the reels, different
paylines or pay structures, etc.
[0089] Referring to FIGS. 14A-14D, a video slot display 1400
includes a main game play area 1410, which has five game reels, and
a secondary area that includes various meters and buttons, such as
a "Bet" meter 1406, a "Paid" meter 1408, and a "SPIN" button 1450.
In this embodiment a player places a 15 credit wager and initiates
the game by pressing the SPIN button 1450 or another physical or
soft button, or other means, to spin the reels. As shown in FIG.
14A, the reel have come to rest with 15 symbols appearing on the
main game display 1410. A predefined rule for this embodiment is
defined to combine similar horizontally-adjacent symbols into
multi-indicia symbols for any symbol appearing on Reel 1 (the
leftmost reel in this example). As shown in FIG. 14B, the two
shaded-sevens, which appear next to each other on Reels 1 and 2 are
combined into a multi-indicia symbol. Reel 1, the reel with the
multi-indicia symbol is then held and the remaining four reels are
re-spun as shown in FIG. 14C. Here, the location vacated by the
shaded-seven that moved from Reel 2 may be left vacant, may be
replaced by another shaded-seven, may be replaced by another
symbol, or the reel strip may contract to eliminate the vacant
space. In other embodiments, a copy of the shaded-seven could move
and combine with the shaded-seven on Reel 1 while the original
shaded-seven remained in the original reel location. In other
embodiments, after the shaded-seven moved to Reel 1, the individual
reel location vacated by the moved shaded-seven symbol may have a
reel strip associated with that location that is spun to select a
new symbol that appears in the vacant symbol location. In FIG. 14D,
the re-spun reels (Reels 2-5) come to rest and the result of the
game is evaluated. As shown in FIG. 14D, two more shaded-sevens
have now landed on the middle payline for Reels 2 and 3. In this
embodiment, the evaluation for awards results in a four-symbol pay
for the shaded-sevens (each subsection of the multi-indicia symbol
is counted independently as one symbol, and each of the
shaded-sevens on Reels 2 and 3 are counted as a symbol). In other
embodiments, other evaluation techniques may be used, such as the
payline resulting in two three symbol pays. Although in this
embodiment, an award evaluation is made after the re-spinning of
the reels not having a multi-indicia symbol, in other embodiments
the shaded-sevens on Reels 2 and 3 may be combined with the
existing two-symbol shaded-seven or Reel 1 to form a 4-symbol
multi-indicia symbol and re-spinning Reels 2-5 again (i.e., symbols
are combined after each time at least one reel is spun until no
more symbol combinations can be formed). Again, numerous other
variations and embodiments exist using these or similar
symbol-combination techniques.
[0090] Referring to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 15A-15D, a video
slot display 1500 includes a main game play area 1510, which has
five game reels, and a secondary area that includes various meters
and buttons, such as a "Bet" meter 1506, a "Paid" meter 1508, and a
"SPIN" button 1550. Here, a predefined rule indicates that a
special symbol triggers a "magnet" bonus effect when it appears on
Reel 1 (the leftmost reel). The special symbol may be
constant-defined special symbol, or one of the game symbols may be
randomly or otherwise designated as the "special" symbol prior to
the reels being spun. In some embodiments, this special symbol may
be a mystery to the player; while in other embodiments, a selected
special symbol may be displayed to the player prior to the reels
stopping so that the player is rooting for the symbol to appear on
the main game display area 1510. In the current embodiment, the
shaded-seven symbol is indicated as the "special" symbol. As shown
in FIG. 15A, a shaded-seven appears in the middle position of Reel
1 after the initial game spin.
[0091] In FIG. 15B, and bonus magnet animation is triggered where
similar symbols are attracted to the special symbol. In this
embodiment, only symbols on the same horizontal level are attracted
by the "magnet effect." However, in other embodiments, symbols from
any position on the main game display 1510 or another display may
be "attracted" to the special symbol.
[0092] As shown in FIG. 15C, the attracted shaded-sevens from Reels
4 and 5 are moved to Reels 2 and 3 where they replace the original
symbols in the middle positions of Reels 2 and 3 to form a symbol
combination of shaded-sevens. The reels with vacated symbol
positions are then re-spun (Reels 4 and 5) as shown. In other
embodiments (such as shown in FIG. 16C), the magnetic bonus may
combine the "attracted" symbols with the special symbol to form a
multi-indicia symbol. In FIG. 15D, Reels 4 and 5 have stopped
spinning and the main game display 1510 is evaluated for awards.
Here, a four symbol pay of shaded-sevens is awarded to the player,
since a "Wild" symbol has appeared in the middle position of Reel 4
and is hence evaluated as another shaded-seven.
[0093] In FIGS. 16A-16E, another embodiment is shown that uses a
magnet effect in response to a predefined rule to create symbol
movement and a symbol combination. Referring to FIGS. 16A-16E, a
video slot display 1600 includes a main game play area 1610, which
has five game reels, and a secondary area that includes various
meters and buttons, such as a "Bet" meter 1606, a "Paid" meter
1608, and a "SPIN" button 1650. In this embodiment, the predefined
rule designates any symbol that appears in the middle position of
Reel 1 (the leftmost reel) as the special symbol where any similar
symbols appearing on the same horizontal line (i.e., middle
position of any of the other reels) are combined to form a
multi-indicia symbol. As shown in FIG. 16B, a shaded-seven symbol
appears in the middle position of Reel 1 and is thus indicated as
the special symbol. Therefore, any other shaded-seven symbols that
appear in the middle positions of the other reels are moved and
combined with the special shaded-seven on Reel 1 to form a
multi-indicia symbol. The result of this symbol movement and
combination is shown in FIG. 16C.
[0094] In this embodiment, the reels that have vacated symbol
positions from the symbol movement and combinations have the
symbols above the vacated symbol positions cascade down. Thus, as
shown in FIG. 16D, the symbols above the vacated symbol positions
cascade down to fill the vacated locations. This results in new
symbols appearing on the main game display 1610 from the
cascade-effect. In other embodiments, the reels with vacant symbol
locations may be nudged (automatically, or by player-interaction)
up one or two or more positions. In other embodiments, Wild symbols
may replace the vacated symbol positions or random symbols may be
selected to fill the vacated symbol positions.
[0095] After the symbols have cascaded down, the resulting main
game display 1610 is evaluated for pays as shown in FIG. 16E. Here,
a three-symbol shaded-seven pay is indicated by box 1680, which
includes only the multi-indicia shaded seven symbol (each
subsection of the multi-indicia symbol is again counted
independently as a separate symbol), and a five-symbol cherry pay
is indicated by box 1685 for a played-payline including all of the
top symbol locations in each reel.
[0096] FIGS. 17A-17G illustrate another game play progression
embodiment of a slot gaming device display. Referring to FIGS.
17A-17G, a video slot display 1700 includes a main game play area
1710, which has five game reels, and a secondary area that includes
various meters and buttons, such as a "Bet" meter 1706, a "Paid"
meter 1708, and a "SPIN" button 1750. Here, a predefined condition
includes a rule that each symbol that appears on Reel 1 can be
combined with any other similar symbol that appears on the main
game display 1710. In other embodiments, predefined conditions may
include the possibility of different symbols being combined into
one symbol location or together on a payline according to various
sets of rules. These dissimilar combined symbols can be used in a
variety of manners to facilitate game awards or bonuses. For
example, each symbol of the combined symbols may be used in
generating pays along paylines that include that reel stop
location.
[0097] Returning now to the present embodiment, FIG. 17A
illustrates the result of an initiated gaming event where the reels
have been spun. As shown in FIG. 17B, symbols that are similar to
the ones appearing on Reel 1 (i.e., the cherry symbols,
shaded-seven symbols, and orange symbols) have been moved and
combined with the symbols on Reel 1 (the leftmost reel).
[0098] Each reel that has a vacant symbol location is now re-spun
while the reels without a symbol position vacancy are held. As
shown in FIG. 17C, this means that Reels 2, 4, and 5 are re-spun
while Reels 1 and 3 are held. In FIG. 17D, the re-spun reels have
come to a stop. The predefined condition in this embodiment,
however, specifies that additional symbols achieved from re-spins
are combined with similar symbols appearing on Reel 1. Thus, as
shown in FIG. 17E, the additional cherry symbol received on re-spun
Reel 5 is moved and combined with the cherry symbols on Reel 1.
Here, because Reel 5 now has a symbol position vacancy, Reel 5 is
re-spun for a second time as shown in FIG. 17F.
[0099] In FIG. 17G, Reel 5 has come to a stop and no additional
symbols match the symbols on Reel 1. Here, the game ends and the
main game play area 1710 is evaluated for awards. In this
particular embodiment, only three, four, and five symbol
combinations are associated with awards. Further, each
multi-indicia symbol is evaluated such that is subsection is
independently considered a separate symbol. Thus, as shown by the
two dashed boxes, there are two three symbol pays (for the cherries
and shaded-sevens), which results in the award of 40 credits. Note
that in embodiments where multiple paylines pass through at least
one symbol position on Reel 1, each of the multiple paylines may be
evaluated separately. Hence, if the embodiment in FIG. 17G included
five played paylines (three horizontal ones, a "V" shaped payline
passing through the following positions R1-1, R2-2, R3-3, R4-2, and
R5-1, where R3-3 stands for Reel 3, third or bottom symbol
position, and an inverted "V" shaped payline passing though the
following positions: R1-3, R2-2, R3-1, R4-2, and R5-3) and each
3-symbol combination resulted in a pay of 20 credits, the award
associated with the final game outcome would be 60 credits (the
three shaded-sevens would be paid once, and the three cherries
would be paid twice since two paylines would pass through
R1-1).
[0100] In FIGS. 18A-18G, another game play progression embodiment
of a slot gaming device display is illustrated. Referring to FIGS.
18A-18G, a video slot display 1800 includes a main game play area
1810, which has five game reels, and a secondary area that includes
various meters and buttons, such as a "Bet" meter 1806, a "Paid"
meter 1808, and a "SPIN" button 1850. In this embodiment, the
predefined conditions or criteria include rules that similar
symbols to those appearing on Reel 1 are moved and combined with
the symbols appearing on Reel 1 and that similar "Scatter" pay
symbols are combined to one of the appearing scatter symbols on any
of the reels. Which Scatter symbol receives the combination can be
chosen at random or according to one or more rules. In this
embodiment, reels with vacant symbol positions have the remaining
reel symbols cascade down to fill the vacant symbol locations.
[0101] After the reels have stop spinning from an initial game
triggering spin in FIG. 18A, symbols that are similar to those
appearing on Reel 1 are combined with the Reel 1 symbols to form
multi-indicia symbols. Additionally, Scatter symbols that appear on
the main game play area 1810 are combined to one of the Scatter
symbol locations. Since Scatter symbols pay according to the number
of Scatter symbols located on the main game play area 1810 without
regard to paylines, they do not necessarily need to be combined to
the left or right or to any specific reel. The past few illustrated
embodiments have combined symbols involved in "Line" pays along
paylines to the left, because often slot machines are evaluated
from left to right to determine symbol combination awards on a
payline. For example, three like symbols appearing on the center
positions of Reels 2, 3, and 4 would not typically be associated
with an award unless a similar symbol appeared along a common
payline on Reel 1 (the leftmost reel). As there exist many
different slot games and devices that have various other evaluation
and awarding techniques, this concept can be applied to embodiments
where all symbols can combine to the various positions on any
reel.
[0102] Returning now to the present embodiment, FIG. 18B
illustrates that the two shaded-sevens on Reels 2 and 4 are moved
and combined with the shaded-seven on Reel 1, and that the Scatter
Banana symbol from Reel 5 is moved and combined with the Scatter
Banana symbol on Reel 2. As shown in FIG. 18C, the reels that have
vacant symbol positions have the symbols above the vacant symbol
positions cascade or tumble down to fill the main game play area
1810 with symbols. The result of this cascading of symbols is shown
in FIG. 18D. Here, another Scatter Banana symbol has appeared on
Reel 4. As shown in FIG. 18E, the combined Scatter Banana symbol
from Reel 2 is moved and combined with the Scatter symbol on Reel
4. This move may be selected at random or may be selected to move
the Scatter symbols to the rightmost symbol location since the
previous Scatter symbol move included moving symbols to the
leftmost Scatter symbol position. In any case, the Scatter Banana
symbol is now a three-banana multi-indicia symbol, as shown in FIG.
18E. In FIG. 18F, the symbols on Reel 2 cascade down to fill the
symbol positions in Reel 2 on the main game play area 1810. Since
no additional shaded-sevens, cherries, oranges, or bananas appear
from the cascade, the resulting main game play area 1810 is
evaluated for awards in FIG. 18G. Here, since the "Wild" symbol on
Reel 2 has cascaded down to be on the center payline with the
three-symbol shaded-seven multi-indicia symbol, one dashed-pay box
shows the resulting four-symbol pay of shaded-sevens. In addition,
a three-symbol Scatter pay is awarded from the multi-indicia
Scatter Banana symbol as shown by the second dashed-pay box. The
sum of these awards is shown in the "Paid" meter 1808, and the game
round ends.
[0103] FIGS. 19A-19D illustrate another game play progression
embodiment of a slot gaming device display. Referring to FIGS.
19A-19D, a video slot display 1900 includes a main game play area
1910, which has five game reels, and a secondary area that includes
various meters and buttons, such as a "Bet" meter 1906, a "Paid"
meter 1908, and a "SPIN" button 1950. Here, a predefined condition
includes a rule that similar symbols in the same reel are combined
together in the lowest occurring position of the set of similar
symbols. In other embodiments, the symbols may combine to the
highest occurring position, may combine to a randomly chosen one of
the positions, or may combine to a position according to another
rule. In yet other embodiments, the symbols may further combine
with other similar symbols that occur on other reel strips, or the
symbols may further combine with other similar symbols that occur
on a horizontal line (or other payline), or according to other
similar rules.
[0104] Returning now to the present embodiment, FIG. 19A
illustrates the result of an initiated gaming event where the reels
have been spun. As shown in FIG. 19B, symbols that are similar
within the same reel (i.e., the shaded-seven symbols on Reel 1, and
the cherry symbols on Reel 2) have been moved and combined with the
lowest occurrence of those similar symbols. As shown in FIG. 19C,
the reels that have vacant symbol positions have the symbols above
the vacant symbol positions cascade or tumble down to fill the main
game play area 1910 with symbols. The result of this cascading of
symbols is shown in FIG. 19D.
[0105] As no other similar symbols appear from the cascaded symbols
(such as for example, another shaded-seven symbol cascading down
into view in the main game play area 1910 on Reel 1), the game ends
and the main game play area 1910 is evaluated for awards. In this
particular embodiment, only three, four, and five symbol
combinations are associated with awards. Further, each
multi-indicia symbol is evaluated such that is subsection is
independently considered a separate symbol. Thus, as shown by the
two dashed boxes, there are two three symbol pays (for the cherries
and shaded-sevens), which results in the award of 40 credits. Note
that in embodiments where multiple paylines pass through at least
one symbol position on Reel 1, each of the multiple paylines may be
evaluated separately. Hence, if the embodiment in FIG. 19D included
multiple played paylines that passed through the bottom reel stop
of the first reel (e.g., a horizontal one along the bottom position
of each game reel, and an inverted "V" shaped payline passing
though the following positions: R1-3, R2-2, R3-1, R4-2, and R5-3)
and each 3-symbol combination resulted in a pay of 20 credits, the
award associated with the final game outcome would be 60 credits
(the three shaded-sevens would be paid twice since two paylines
would pass through R1-3, and the three cherries would be paid once
unless multiple paylines passed though R1-2 and R2-3).
[0106] FIGS. 20A-20D illustrate another game play progression
embodiment of a slot gaming device display. Referring to FIGS.
20A-20D, a video slot display 2000 includes a main game play area
2010 (game grid), which displays portions of five game reels 2011,
2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, each having a plurality of game symbols
2020, and a secondary area that includes various meters and
buttons, such as a "Bet" meter 2006, a "Paid" meter 2008, and a
"SPIN" button 2050. Here, when a triggering condition occurs during
a gaming event, the symbols on the grid from one or more reels are
moved or copied to another game reel to merge the reels
together.
[0107] Referring now FIG. 20A, the video slot display 2000 shows
the result of an initiated gaming event where the game reels 2011,
2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 have been spun and an outcome is shown on
the game grid 2010. Here, subsymbols 2030 may appear in game
element locations of the game grid 2010 along with the shown game
symbols 2020. In some embodiments, the subsymbols 2030 are randomly
added to one or more symbol positions on the game reels 2011, 2012,
2013, 2014, 2015 prior to or during the spinning of the game reels
in the gaming event, where the subsymbols may be, for example,
overlays. In other embodiments, the subsymbols 2030 are fixed and
associated with one or more symbol positions on the game reels
2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015. In other embodiments, the subsymbols
2030 randomly appear in the game elements of the game grid
independently of the game reels 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015. In
this embodiment, subsymbols appearing on the game grid 2010 trigger
the merging of the displayed symbols 220 on two or more game reels
2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015. As discussed above, there are many
other possible triggering conditions that may be used to move or
copy the symbols 220 from one or more game reels to another.
[0108] In this embodiment, the game reels 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014,
2015 are merged when two or more subsymbols 2030 appear on the game
grid 2010, where the game symbols 220 on the right-most game
reel(s) associated with a subsymbol 2030 are moved to the left-most
game reel associated with a subsymbol. In the embodiment shown in
FIG. 20A, subsymbols appear in the first game reel 2011 and the
second game reel 2012. Hence, the game symbols 2020 from the second
game reel 2012 are moved to the first game reel 2011 and merged
with the symbols on the first game reel, as shown in FIG. 20B. In
this embodiment, only two subsymbols 2030 are displayed in the game
grid 2010, but in other embodiments where more than two subsymbols
are displayed on the game reels 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, the
symbols from two or more game reels may be merged with symbols of
another game reel. In other embodiments, only one subsymbol 2030
may trigger the feature, where the left-adjacent, right-adjacent, a
random one of the reels 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 may be merged
with the symbols 2020 on the reel associated with the subsymbol.
Additionally, although the symbols on the second game reel 2012 are
moved to the first game reel 2011 in this embodiment, they may be
copied to the first game reel in other embodiments so that the same
symbols still appear on the second game reel.
[0109] In this embodiment, when two different symbols 2020 are
merged they form a multi-symbol 2024 where each one of the symbols
in the multi-symbol is used independently in evaluating pay
combinations. Further, when two similar or identical symbols 2020
are merged they form a double symbol 2022 where either each of the
symbols in the double symbol are used together in evaluating pay
combinations, or the double symbol is evaluated as a special
double-symbol entry in the paytable. In other embodiments, the
merged symbols 2020 may take on any of the other characteristics
discussed above.
[0110] In FIG. 20C, the second game reel 2012 is respun without the
moved symbols 2020 to determine new symbols to display on the game
grid 2010. In other embodiments, the symbols above or below the
game grid 2010 in the second game reel 2012 are moved or cascaded
into the empty symbol positions in the game grid. In yet other
embodiments, random symbols are determined for each of the empty
symbol element positions on the game grid 2010. In still other
embodiments, the merged symbols in the first game reel 2011 are
then copied back to the second game reel 2012. Additionally, other
embodiments may use any of the other techniques of filling empty
element positions in the game grid 2010 as discussed herein.
[0111] In FIG. 20D, new symbols 2020 are shown in the element
positions of the game grid 2010 related to the second reel 2012,
and the resulting outcome is evaluated for awards. Here, the double
symbol 2022 is combined with the shaded-7 in the second reel to pay
either a three-symbol shaded-7 pay or a double-symbol single-symbol
pay. Additionally, each symbol of the multi-symbol 2024 is used
independently to form symbol combinations that are evaluated for
awards. Here, the Orange symbol of the multi-symbol 2024 on the
first game reel 2011 is used with the Orange symbols on the second
and third game reels 2012, 2013 to form a Three-Orange symbol
combination.
[0112] FIGS. 21A-21D illustrate another game play progression
embodiment of a slot gaming device display. Referring to FIGS.
21A-21D, a video slot display 2100 includes a main game play area
2110 (game grid), which displays portions of five game reels 2111,
2112, 2113, 2114, 2115, each having a plurality of game symbols
2120, and a secondary area that includes various meters and
buttons, such as a "Bet" meter 2106, a "Paid" meter 2108, and a
"SPIN" button 2150. Here, when a triggering condition occurs during
a gaming event, the symbols on the grid from one or more reels are
merged with another game reel so that both reels include
multi-symbols 2124 and double symbols 2122. In other words, the
symbols 2120 from both the first reel 2111 and the second reel
2112, combine and are copied on both reels in response to a
subsymbols 2130 appearing on both reels. Otherwise, this embodiment
includes similarities to the embodiments described above.
[0113] FIGS. 22A-22D illustrate another game play progression
embodiment of a slot gaming device display. Referring to FIGS.
22A-22D, a video slot display 2200 includes a main game play area
2210 (game grid), which displays portions of five game reels 2211,
2212, 2213, 2214, 2215, each having a plurality of game symbols
2220, and a secondary area that includes various meters and
buttons, such as a "Bet" meter 2206, a "Paid" meter 2208, and a
"SPIN" button 2250. In these embodiments, a triggering condition
may include the presence of one or more special symbols 2230, 2232
on one or more of the game reels 2211, 2212, 2213, 2214, 2215. For
purposes of this illustrated embodiment, special symbols 2230, 2232
included on two or more reels causes the reels to attract to one
another. In this embodiment, a first game reel 2211 including a
first special symbol 2230 attracts a second game reel 2215 having a
second special symbol 2232. If a third reel included a third
special symbol, the third reel may also be attracted to the first
and second game reels 2211, 2215 to form a group of game reels all
including special symbols. The special symbols may be wild symbols,
multiplier symbols, bonus triggering symbols, major symbols,
scatter symbols, other valuable symbols, or a combination of one or
more of the above to make grouping the reels together potentially
more valuable. Additionally, the reels may be evaluated prior to
the reels being attracted to one another and evaluated after the
reels have been moved for the attraction feature. Although FIGS.
22A-22D show a leftmost reel with a special symbol stay stationary
and a second reel with a special symbol move toward the leftmost
reel with a special symbol, other movement rules may be applied in
other embodiments. For example, the rightmost reel with a special
symbol may remain in place while a second reel with a special
symbol may move to the rightmost reel with a special symbol. Or the
rules of attraction may include a random movement for one or all of
the reels having special symbols, or other rules to control of
influence movement of the reels.
[0114] Referring to FIG. 22A, game reels 2211-2215 have been
activated to spin and have come to rest to show a first game
outcome on the game display 2200 in response to receiving a wager
on a gaming event. In this first game outcome, the game grid 2210
includes a first special symbol 2230 on the first game reel 2211
and a second special symbol 2232 on the fifth game reel 2215. In
this illustrated embodiment, the special symbols are "magnet wild"
symbols that have the property of wild symbols (i.e., the ability
to substitute for one or more other symbols). In other embodiments,
the special symbols may be normal symbols that have an overlay
and/or subsymbol associated with it, or some other marking to
indicate that they are special symbols. In yet other embodiments, a
triggering condition for attracting reels may be based on a
something other than a special symbol, such as a random event, a
mystery event, a predetermined time period, a side wager, a
player's loyalty status, a bonus meter reaching a certain level,
etc. Note that in this embodiment illustrated in FIG. 22A, another
"wild" symbol 2240 is present on the game grid 2210, but is not a
special symbol. In some embodiments, the first game outcome
initially shown on the game grid 2210 may be evaluated for awards
prior to initiating a feature event.
[0115] Referring to FIG. 22B, a feature animation 2260 or other
notification event may be initiated to draw a player's attention to
the feature that is about to happen. Here, a magnet animation is
shown over the first game reel 2211 that had the first special
symbol 2230. As a second special symbol 2232 appears in the game
grid 2210 on the fifth reel 2215, the fifth reel may also have a
visual and/or auditory notification that it is involved in the
feature. Here, the fifth reel 2215 is highlighted and may shake or
otherwise be animated.
[0116] Referring to FIG. 22C, the fifth reel 2215 may move in
animation to the left as if it is being attracted by the magnet
2260. In other embodiments, the fifth reel may disappear and pop up
next to the first reel 2211, or some other feature animation may be
used. The second reel 2212, the third reel 2213, and the fourth
reel 2214 may shift to the right to make room for the fifth reel
2215 next to the first reel 2211. As shown in FIG. 22D, the fifth
reel 2215 may now be used as the second game reel for evaluation
purposes. Similarly, the second reel 2212 may be used as the third
game reel, the third reel 2213 may be used as the fourth reel, and
the fourth game reel 2214 may be used as the fifth game reel for
evaluation purposes. Additionally, after the reels have been
shifted, the special symbols 2230, 2232 may further be modified to
improve award opportunities. For example, the special symbols 2230,
2232 may be associated with multiplier values, may be expanded to
fill the entire associated game reels in the game grid 2210 with
wild symbols, become sticky wild symbols that maintain their
position for the next gaming event, otherwise be modified, or a
combination of the above.
[0117] Although FIGS. 22A-22D illustrate a fifth game reel 2115
with a second special symbol 2232 displacing the other three reels,
in other embodiments the fifth game reel 2115 may be copied to
replace the symbols on the second game reel 2212 on the game grid
2210 while maintaining the same symbols at the fifth game reel.
Alternatively, the firth game reel 2215 may move to replace the
second game reel 2212, and a new game reel may be spun at the fifth
reel position to generate new symbols for the purposes of
evaluating the game grid 2210.
[0118] FIGS. 23A-23D illustrate another game play progression
embodiment of a slot gaming device display. Referring to FIGS.
23A-23D, a video slot display 2300 includes a main game play area
2310 (game grid), which displays portions of five game reels 2311,
2312, 2313, 2314, 2315, each having a plurality of game symbols
2320, and a secondary area that includes various meters and
buttons, such as a "Bet" meter 2306, a "Paid" meter 2308, and a
"SPIN" button 2350. In these embodiments, a triggering condition
may include the presence of two or more stacks of predetermined
symbols 2330 (e.g., wild symbols, major symbols, bonus symbols,
minor symbols, etc.) on two or more non-adjacent game reels 2311,
2312, 2313, 2314, 2315. For purposes of this illustrated
embodiment, the predetermined symbols 2330 are wild symbols. The
presence of the non-adjacent stacks of predetermined symbols 2330
causes the stacked reels to attract to one another. In this
embodiment, the second game reel 2312 includes a stack of wild
symbols 2330, which attracts the fifth game reel 2315 having a
stack of wild symbols. Although FIGS. 23A-23D show a leftmost reel
with a stack of predetermined symbols 2330 stay stationary and a
second reel with a stack of predetermined symbols move toward the
leftmost reel with a predetermined symbol stack, other movement
rules may be applied in other embodiments. For example, the
rightmost reel with a stack of predetermined symbols may remain in
place while a second reel with a stack of predetermined symbols may
move to the rightmost reel with the predetermined symbol stack. Or
the rules of attraction may include a random movement for one or
all of the reels having the stacks of the predetermined symbols, or
other rules to control of influence movement of the reels.
[0119] Referring to FIG. 23A, a gaming event results in the second
game reel 2312 and the fifth game reel 2315 having a stack of wild
symbols 2330. As discussed above, in some embodiments, this initial
game result may be evaluated for awards prior to the feature being
initiated. As shown in FIG. 23B, a copy 2316 of the fifth game reel
2315 is attracted to the second game reel 2312. In FIG. 23C, the
copy 2316 of the fifth game reel 2315 replaces the symbols on the
third game reel 2313 in the game grid 2310, and the fifth game reel
2315 is re-spun. In other embodiments, the stack of wild symbols
2330 on the fifth game reel 2315 may be maintained for evaluation
purposes. As shown in FIG. 23D, the re-spin of the fifth game reel
2315 ends, and a second game result is displayed in the game grid
2310. This second game result may then be evaluated for awards. In
some embodiments, reels having the stacks of predetermined symbols
2330 may be maintained in the game grid 2310 (sticky stacks) for
the next (or more) gaming events.
[0120] The foregoing description of the exemplary embodiments has
been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It
is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the
precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are
possible in light of the above teaching. For example, the present
invention is equally applicable in electronic or mechanical gaming
machines, and is also applicable to live table versions of gaming
activities that are capable of being played in a table version
(e.g., machines involving poker or card games that could be played
via table games).
[0121] Some embodiments of the invention have been described above,
and in addition, some specific details are shown for purposes of
illustrating the inventive principles. However, numerous other
arrangements may be devised in accordance with the inventive
principles of this patent disclosure. Further, well known processes
have not been described in detail in order not to obscure the
invention. Thus, while the invention is described in conjunction
with the specific embodiments illustrated in the drawings, it is
not limited to these embodiments or drawings. Rather, the invention
is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents
that come within the scope and spirit of the inventive principles
set out in the appended claims.
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